The 2017 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship recipients
Lee University has awarded scholarships to 36 women for the 2017-18 school year. The Lettie Pate Whitehead foundation, a Georgia nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the education of female students, funded the scholarships.
A total of $92,250 was awarded for 2017-18. In accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, scholarships were awarded to women who reside in one of nine specified southeastern states. Recipients were chosen based on a combination of factors including financial need, academic merit, and character.
“The Lettie Pate Scholarship has eased the financial burden of attending college and made my experience at Lee University possible,” said Kendra Norwood, a senior communications major from Kennesaw, Ga. “I’m so blessed to have received this award each year.”
Mrs. Lettie Pate Whitehead, for whom the foundation is named, was born in Virginia in 1872. In 1895, she married Joseph Brown Whitehead, and the two settled in Chattanooga. In 1899, Mr. Whitehead and an associate approached The Coca-Cola Company with the idea of bottling the popular beverage. The two business men secured a contract and soon began bottling and selling Coca-Cola throughout the United States.
Upon Mr. Whitehead’s death in 1906, Mrs. Whitehead assumed responsibility for the family’s business affairs. She became one of the first women to serve on the board of directors for a major American corporation.
Along with her legacy as a successful business woman, Mrs. Whitehead was also known for her generosity. Throughout her life she supported charities and education programs and was viewed as a leader in her community. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation aims to inspire women to stand out as leaders in their communities and to support them in their quest for education. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the scholarship program at Lee.
“Because of this scholarship, I have been able to attend Lee and focus on my studies because it has helped reduce the additional stress that financial need places on attending college,” said Millie Swinson, a junior psychology major from Knoxville. “I am thankful to have been chosen.”
The scholarship recipients for the 2017 year are Kayle Bishop of Cleveland; Mercedes Blomstrom of Sweetwater, Tn.; Erica Bohlman of Franklin, Tn.; Veronica Boss of Faith, N.C.; Madison Catucci of Atlanta; Elizabeth Clark of Harrison; Madeline Coady of Murfreesboro, Tn.; Catherine Cooper of Franklin, Tn.; Markie-Rae Dean of Villa Rica, Ga.; Sydney DeVoe of Birmingham; Lillie Edwards of Hickory, N.C.; Stephanie Edwards of Chatsworth; Kristina Glenn of Rock Hill, S.C.; Susannah Guthrie of Jackson, Tn.; Caroline Hamby of Tampa, Fl.; Amanda Hanshew of Cleveland; Madison Jett of Hixon; Jennifer Jones of Pell City, Al.; Jonysia Kilgore of Duluth, Ga.; Melia Killion of Knoxville; Elizabeth Landry of Cleveland; Stephanie Little, of Elkton, Fl.; Kayla McGuffey of Cleveland; Hannah McManus of Winston, Ga.; Emmalyn Merritt of Clinton, Tn.; Reagan Millholland of Dawsonville, Ga.; Katherine Moore of Brooksville, Fl.; Ms. Norwood; Madison Ogle of West Monroe, La.; Kaylee Parent of Franklin, Tn.; DeAnne Sipes of Bradenton, Fl.; Maquala Sparks of Chattanooga; Ms. Swinson; Lydia Trail of Liberty, Tn.; Katherine Wilhoit of Cleveland; and Heather Wood of Chattanooga.
A lunch reception took place earlier this semester where the women were honored as Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars and learned about the woman for whom the scholarship was named.
For more information about the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, contact Lee’s Office of Admissions at 614-8500.
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